Category: Bird attracting

  • White or Pink? How do you like your Blueberry Ash? or covered in blue berries

    White or Pink? How do you like your Blueberry Ash? or covered in blue berries

    Elaeocarpus reticulatus is one of the Spring flowering native tree species which really knocks itself out during its flowering season. It consistently covers itself in the little white fairy skirt like flowers to the point that it gives the whole tree a light hue. The other time of year this species looks incredible is when…

  • Darwinia citriodora another WA toughie

    Darwinia citriodora another WA toughie

    To be honest I didn’t realise this lovely medium shrub hailed from the West, silly me. I think I assumed Darwinias were local to coastal NSW due to the prominence of taxifolia and fascicularis when I go bushwalking close to home. They are a stunning Genus, all have intresting leaf structure and get covered in…

  • The oh so fun Leptospermum ‘outrageous’

    The oh so fun Leptospermum ‘outrageous’

    Leptospermum ‘Outrageous’ puts on a show of brilliant pink-red flowers in Spring, and it absolutely covers itself as the weeks go on. This medium shrub has delicate weeping branches and it can be pruned into a low hedge or border plant. It is also showy enough to be a great feature shrub even when not…

  • Eye catching Kennedia nigricans

    Eye catching Kennedia nigricans

    This is am unusual climber which tends to draw in everyones attention. I use this Western Australian species whenever I need a quick growing cover to screen, suppress weeds or create shade. The large bright green leaves are broad for a Kennedia and the pea flowers hide a little amongst the foliage, but once those…

  • Powerful medicinal tree: Pittosporum angustifolium

    Powerful medicinal tree: Pittosporum angustifolium

    This is a small native Medicine plant affectionately known as Gumbi Gumbi, it actually has many names as it has many uses. It is also known as Western Pittosporum, Berrigan, Bitter Bush, Cattle Bush, Cheesewood, Butter Bush, Native Willow or Native Apricot. The properties of Gumbi Gumbi are quite potent and only those familiar with…

  • ‘Red Iron Bark’ – Eucalyptus sideroxylon Rosea

    ‘Red Iron Bark’ – Eucalyptus sideroxylon Rosea

    I live in Iron Bark territory, on a clay soil, near the coast, the local Iron Barks stand up to the strong coastal winds and often boggy soil. One introduced Iron bark that does very well in my area is Eucalyptus sideroxylon Rosea, this is a stunning medium sized tree, that I gladly recommend for…

  • Spillover for the pollinators: Leptospermum ‘vertical drop’

    Spillover for the pollinators: Leptospermum ‘vertical drop’

    Most of us know how wonderful Tea trees are for our pollinators and honey bees, and Leptospermum polygalifolium is up there with some of the most floriferous. This gorgeous low growing and cascading form is Leptospermum polygalifolium ssp. cismontanum ‘Vertical Drop’. This sub species naturally grows on the east coast of Australia in sandy and…

  • Small Habitat Tree: Corymbia eximia nana

    Small Habitat Tree: Corymbia eximia nana

    If you are looking for a small feature gum tree in your garden which will offer both a food source and habitat for native fauna, look no further. Corymbia eximia ‘Nana’ is a striking, dwarf form of the Yellow Bloodwood. The gnarly mottled wood and crooked trunk of the dwarf version of Corymbia exima or…

  • don’t be confused by Grevillea buxifolia

    don’t be confused by Grevillea buxifolia

    This is probably Grevillea buxifolia subsp. buxifolia which is not to be confused with Grevillea sphacelata, in the Grevillea bibles by Peter Olde and Neil Marriott sphacelata a “Related or confusing species”. This couldn’t be more apt, I spent some time going down a plant nerd rabbit hole on this. These photos were taken in…

  • The unique Viminaria juncea

    The unique Viminaria juncea

    There aren’t many plants which you could get this species confused with, especially when it is in full flower. Viminaria juncea is a stand out feature shrub or small tree which is quite common in our bushland but not so often seen in cultivation. Shrub to 5mts tall The yellow pea flowers located on long,…

  • vulnerable Epacris purpurascens

    vulnerable Epacris purpurascens

    For me this species signifies everything incredible about our local sandstone sclerophyll forest. The extraordinary stems of Epacris purpurascens cover themselves in tiny pinky white flowers and reach for the sun. There is something about them which is delicate but also symbolises endurance, they are a pretty wildflower in our bushland environment which can be…

  • Bee Friendly Grevillea: Grevillea sericea

    Bee Friendly Grevillea: Grevillea sericea

    This is a local spider flower Grevillea which has huge ornamental potential and is a master at attracting native pollinator and honey bees to your garden. It is quite a common species on the east coast of NSW and can be found growing naturally from Toronto in the north to Heathcote in the South of…

  • Dwarf Eucalyptus for small gardens: Eucalyptus citriodora DWARF

    Dwarf Eucalyptus for small gardens: Eucalyptus citriodora DWARF

    The lemon scented gum is one of my favourite fragrances, that pungent citronella smell released after the rain or at dusk on a summer evening makes me feel all sentimental about our incredible flora.Unfortunately Eucalyptus or Corymbia citriodora doesn’t mix so well with the urban landscape, firstly they get tall, very tall and secondly as…

  • Anigozanthos ‘Landscape Lime’the underdog

    Anigozanthos ‘Landscape Lime’the underdog

    In the next couple of months Kangaroo Paws all over Australia will be stretching their stems for the sun, flaunting their flower ladened spikes for the birds and the bees. But not just for the wildlife, Anigozanthos are undoubtedly one of our nations most iconic genus and with recent breeding in the taller range, they…

  • Wispy and Light: Grevillea linearifolia

    Wispy and Light: Grevillea linearifolia

    As the name suggests this is a Grevillea with linear leaves, long skinny leaves which give it a gentle wispy habit. Combined with the pink new growth on the end of each stem, this is a showy species whether in flower or not. Grevillea linearifolia can be found naturally in the Greater Sydney Basin bushland…

  • Calothamnus quadrifidus grey: texture and toughness

    Calothamnus quadrifidus grey: texture and toughness

    I thought I had already dedicated a blog post to this steadfast native shrub but have just realised it has featured a few times but hasn’t been praised individually yet. Very strange as this is a staple in many of my screening plantings or used as a feature shrub, especially as it will quite happily…

  • Calothamnus quadrifidus yellow : The younger sibling

    Calothamnus quadrifidus yellow : The younger sibling

    This is the lesser known One sided bottlebrush, the sibling in the shadows if you will, of the very showy Calothamnus quadrifidus ‘Grey’. I love both of course, and I think this green leaf form of Calothamnus deserves to be utilised a lot more in the garden. Calothamnus quadrifidus ‘Yellow’ is a very hardy medium…

  • The multifaceted Eremophila oppositifolia

    The multifaceted Eremophila oppositifolia

    Eremophila oppositifolia is very deceiving , it appears delicate and a little fussy but in actual fact it is one of the hardiest native shrubs around. Most Eremophila or Emu bush grow naturally in Western and Southern Australia and although they come from area with a Mediterranean climate many of them are quite adaptable in…

  • Outstanding: Grevillea arenaria

    Outstanding: Grevillea arenaria

    This is an outstanding plant for attracting birds, providing nesting habitat, shelter and nectar for honeyeaters and insectivorous birds. George Adams ‘Birdscaping Australian Gardens’ Thanks George I couldn’t have said it any better! I love my copy of the above book and use it all the time, I also love Grevillea arenaria or the Nepean…

  • Plants of the Wallum

    Plants of the Wallum

    I visited the Wallum Banksia in one of it’s natural habitats on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) last week. And along with it the many other wildflowers which were opening thier blooms slightly early in the wildflower season. We explored both the Wallum heathlands and the Wallum Woodlands which has been a dream of mine for…

  • some very impressive Epacris

    some very impressive Epacris

    Epacris are simply delightful at this time of year, their long prickly stems get covered in dense clusters of small bell flowers, brightening any dull Winter day. There are many different Epacris species and they can be found growing as an under-storey in heathland in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, often on damp sandstone…

  • More Stenocarpus ‘Doreen’ please

    More Stenocarpus ‘Doreen’ please

    These photo’s were taken of my very own Stenocarpus angustifolius ‘Doreen’ flowering in Autumn. A rainforest shrub native to QLD has delicate ferny foliage, and curly white flowers. Related to Stenocarpus sinuatus (Firewheel tree) but not as large, making it a better option for an urban garden. A cultivar of Stenocarpur angustifolius, we cannot find…

  • Another top Paperbark: Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’

    Another top Paperbark: Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’

    It has been a  paperbark appreciation month for me, I love Melaleuca’s as they will grow so easily in difficult heavy soils and their flowers are rich in nectar for birds and bees alike. Melaleuca viridiflora ‘Burgundy Weeper’ is no exception, it covers itself in deep reddish purple flowers attracting honey eaters and bees. Above…

  • The little known Banksia ericifolia ‘Little Eric’

    The little known Banksia ericifolia ‘Little Eric’

    Banksias all over Australia are hitting their flowering stride this season, from Autumn until Spring is when most Banksia species will be covered in nectar rich flower spikes. Most people are familiar with the Dwarf Banksia spinulosa cultivars like ‘Birthday Candles’ and ‘Coastal Cushions’. This post is a little shout out to a lesser know…